ARAL Program Launched to Combat Learning Loss in the Philippines

The Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) Program Act, recently signed into law, is now ready for implementation to tackle the issue of learning loss among students. The finalization of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) was completed just 34 days after President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed Republic Act 12028. Education Secretary Edgardo Angara emphasized that the ARAL Act will enhance students’ critical thinking skills over time, stating, “In the long run, it will help because the ability of students will improve, especially in what they call critical thinking.” The swift drafting of the IRR was commended by lawmakers, with Senator Sherwin Gatchalian noting the speed of the process, which was completed well within the 60-day period allowed by the law. Senator Joel Villanueva echoed this sentiment, praising the rapid response of the Department of Education (DepEd). The ARAL Law aims to provide targeted free learning interventions to struggling students, focusing on foundational skills for Kindergarten and literacy and numeracy for Grades 1 to 10. Additionally, President Marcos has committed to finding ways to restore a PHP10 billion cut from the DepEd’s computerization program in the 2025 budget. Angara has been tasked with coordinating with other Cabinet Secretaries, including the Department of Budget and Management’s Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, to address this shortfall. He mentioned potential sources for the budget, such as savings and unprogrammed appropriations, and stressed the importance of securing funds to maintain partnerships with the private sector, such as those with Smart for free Internet and Khan Academy for AI tools, which are crucial for the DepEd’s computerization efforts.